Airport working towards an innovative digital solution to help passengers get from home to destination faster and more conveniently.
Today, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol introduced its new website www.schiphol.nl and app, with which it hopes to provide each passenger travelling via Schiphol with the most personalised experience possible. This introduction is an important step in the digital transformation that will be taking place at Schiphol in the coming years. By applying smart technology, the airport intends to improve the travel process and offer passengers greater insight into and control over their flights.
Nearly three million people use the Schiphol website and app each month. These are not just Dutch passengers, but also transfer passengers and people coming to pick up or drop off someone else, as well as the 65,000 people who work at the airport. Using feedback provided by these millions of individuals, Schiphol intends to continue improving its digital channels each and every day.
Updates to digital channels
In order to serve passengers better than ever, the Schiphol website and Schiphol app have undergone a complete overhaul. In addition to the updated appearance, the latest technology has also been utilised, resulting in significant improvements in speed and ease of use.
‘Schiphol wants to offer passengers the most personalised experience possible,’ according to Christa Bakker, Digital Airport Programme manager. ‘We offer tips for your journey based on flight information. Only when you’re travelling to the U.S., for instance, will you be shown information about the ESTA form. For all flights, you’ll see which shops you can get to before your flight, or whether there will be an opportunity to buy that charger you forgot to bring after going through security. Soon, you will also be able to see what the best time to go through security is.’
According to Bakker, the website has become faster as well. ‘Which is nice when you want to get up-to-the-minute information on your flight as quickly as possible. But it’s also useful when you are trying to find out whether or not it’s okay to bring that jar of baby food with you on your flight.’ There have been numerous improvements when it comes to booking a parking space online at attractive rates, as well.
Personal travel buddy
The new Schiphol app is meant to be a digital airport assistant: an essential travel buddy for frequent visitors to the airport. The app will send you a message if your flight has been delayed, for instance, or if your gate changes. It will also allow a passenger to easily see where he or she is at the airport, and where there is a chance to grab a quick cup of coffee before the boarding process begins. Moreover, the app offers an option to chat with an airport employee.
Leading Digital Airport in 2018
Schiphol has the ambition to become the Leading Digital Airport by 2018. Schiphol will be taking a number of major steps towards digitisation in the coming years. The website and the app will play a central, crucial role in these efforts: together, they provide the airport with the ideal means for maintaining direct contact with all its travellers.
